And with a cheerful nod Lady Mildred left him and gave the chauffeur orders to drive back to London.
“I don’t understand you,” Lady Ethel said timidly. “A couple of hours ago you were utterly miserable, while now you seem almost happy.”
“I am not sure that I understand myself. I am only thinking that in a week or two I shall see John. I have no fear how he will receive me, for I’ve no pride left, and I am prepared to go on my knees and ask his forgiveness for that cruel letter,” Lady Mildred said earnestly.
“I shall be glad to come with you, dear.”
“I am not sure that I ought to take you, for we cannot catch them up until they are in the Congo, and there may be danger.”
“I am not afraid,” Lady Ethel answered quickly.
During the next few days they were busy making preparations for the voyage, and it was not until Thursday that anything of importance happened. It chanced that they lunched at the Carlton Hotel and upon reaching the streets they heard the name of Gaunt being shouted by the newspaper boys.
“Disappearance of John Gaunt. Bail estreated.”
And they read an account of the proceedings at the police court. Mr. Ruggles, K. C., had been in great form and took full advantage of the position.
“Listen to this,” Lady Mildred cried, and proceeded to read from the paper. “The court was crowded this morning at the adjourned hearing of the charge of murder brought by the Congo government against Mr. John Gaunt. The magistrate took his seat and the name of the millionaire was called, but there was no answer. At first it was believed that he had been delayed by some accident, but when half an hour had passed, it was murmured that he had left the country. The magistrate adjourned the court for an hour, and when he again sat the police gave evidence to the effect that Mr. Gaunt had not been seen for some few days. Inquiries at his office and at Park Lane gave no information, and it is assumed that, for some purpose of his own, he has left the country. Mr. Ruggles proceeded to address the court: ‘I must remind your Worship that I anticipated this event and strongly urged that bail should not be allowed. In spite of my urging you gave him his freedom, of which he appears to have taken full advantage. I apply to your Worship to grant a warrant for his arrest.’